Elinor Stutz | CEO | Smooth Sale
Elinor Stutz’s journey is one of perseverance, determination, and a relentless drive to succeed. She has made her mark as a sales blogger, author, and speaker, using her experiences to inspire others to rise above challenges and create their own paths to success. Her career has been shaped by her desire to help people advance in their endeavors by sharing her sales expertise and insights from various business leaders. Stutz’s story is not just about professional achievements but about personal growth, transformation, and giving back to communities in meaningful ways. At EliteX, we are proud to have Elinor Stutz as part of the edition: Prominent Business Leaders Making Waves in 2024.
From the beginning, Elinor Stutz stood out for her willingness to defy societal expectations. In an era when women were expected to conform to roles such as teachers, secretaries, or stay-at-home mothers, she had her sights set on something different. She wanted to prove that women could excel in the business world, a desire that led her to embark on three entrepreneurial ventures. These ventures garnered significant attention, earning her features in major publications like Mademoiselle and TIME Magazine and even appearances on TV news stations.
However, life had other plans. Stutz found herself needing to provide for her children’s college education, which prompted her to enter the corporate sales world. Over the course of eleven years, she became a top-performing salesperson in a male-dominated industry, but her success came at a price. Her achievements made her a target for jealousy and resentment. Male colleagues were often uncomfortable with her success, and the workplace became a battleground. Despite the hostility, she held firm to her values of integrity and credibility, refusing to compromise her beliefs for the sake of fitting in. Her resilience during these tough times laid the foundation for the lessons she would later share with others. A pivotal moment in Elinor Stutz’s life came after a near-death experience that shifted her perspective on life and career. After years of mistreatment in the corporate world, where her accounts were frequently handed over to men and her sales quotas were unjustly tripled, she decided to take a day off—a decision that would change her life. While stopped at a red light, her car was rear-ended at full speed, resulting in severe injuries that left her in pain for over a decade. Just when things seemed unbearable, another car accident followed, leading to a life-altering event.
“Dawn your Superwoman Cape, oil it well, and soar above while the darts thrown at your back slide to the ground.”
In the hospital, while lying on a gurney, she experienced a near-death encounter that she describes as a turning point. Encased in a brilliant gold light, Stutz had two visions. In the first, she saw herself as a speaker—a lifelong dream that she instantly embraced. The second vision showed her “life report card.” While the left side was filled with high marks, the right side, labeled “Community Service,” was blank. In that moment, she made a pledge to dedicate herself to giving back to others. This experience not only inspired her recovery but also motivated her to embark on a new path. Against all odds, she made a full recovery, defying doctors who had predicted she would be paralyzed. The medical staff referred to her as “The Walking Miracle,” a testament to her inner strength and determination. While in the ICU, she mentally mapped out her third entrepreneurial venture, realizing that her purpose extended beyond just personal success—it was about helping others achieve their goals.
Elinor Stutz’s ability to overcome adversity has been a defining feature of her life. Growing up, she faced bullying for being different—left-handed, green-eyed, and often considered an outsider. Instead of allowing these experiences to defeat her, she used them as motivation to set goals and carve out her own path. She became an avid goal-setter early in life, a habit that has remained with her to this day. Her approach involves maintaining both short-term and long-term goals, with daily tasks designed to ensure progress. She has even developed a “laser goal-setting system,” which she shares with those seeking to improve their productivity. Her diverse experiences, including international travel to nearly 50 countries, have given her a global perspective that has enriched her professional life. These travels exposed her to different cultures, teaching her how to adapt, learn from others, and appreciate the uniqueness of every individual. These lessons became invaluable in her sales career, helping her connect with people from all walks of life.
For Elinor Stutz, life’s setbacks are often opportunities in disguise. She firmly believes that “our worst experiences are our gifts in disguise,” a mindset that has helped her navigate the many challenges she’s faced. After moving to a new city, she was ridiculed for calling herself a sales trainer. Instead of letting this discourage her, she took a suggestion to write a book—an endeavor that turned out to be one of her greatest successes. Her book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results, became an international bestseller, breaking records and securing a place among the classics. It was a corporate tell-all that highlighted the importance of standing up for what is right. This success was followed by another book, HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself on Interviews, which helped countless people navigate the job market.
“We have one life to live, and we must live it our way.”
Elinor Stutz is not one to rest on her laurels. She remains active online, particularly on LinkedIn, where she stays updated on topics like cybersecurity, cybercrime, and artificial intelligence. She recognizes that the digital age is transforming the workplace and is always thinking of ways to adapt to these changes. For her, learning is a lifelong commitment, and she encourages others to continuously seek knowledge and improve. When asked about the critical factors behind her success, Elinor Stutz emphasizes the importance of living life on your own terms. “We have one life to live, and we must live it our way,” she says. Her advice to women facing adversity is to rise above the negativity. She encourages them to “dawn your Superwoman Cape, oil it well, and soar above while the darts thrown at your back slide to the ground.”
Stutz believes in the power of self-belief and the importance of helping others achieve their dreams. By teaching others to believe in themselves, she hopes to create a ripple effect that empowers many. Her life’s work is not just about personal achievement but about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Elinor Stutz’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and staying true to oneself. Through her experiences in the corporate world, near-death encounter, and various entrepreneurial ventures, she has learned invaluable lessons about success, integrity, and community service. Her journey serves as an inspiration to anyone facing challenges, reminding them that with purpose, passion, and perseverance, they too can achieve their goals.
“Our worst experiences are our gifts in disguise.”